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Up for grabs: Torres and Steven Gerrard could both leave Liverpool this summer (Photo: Daily Mail)

Fernando Torres appeared to be on the verge of leaving Liverpool after his agent indicated the striker is bound for another Premier League club.

Chelsea are at the front of the queue to sign the Spaniard and Manchester City also showed interest before moving on to other targets when they got little encouragement from the 26-year-old.

Agent Jose Antonio Martin said: ‘It is very likely that Fernando Torres will stay in the Premier League, but I cannot say that it will be with Liverpool. We are working on his future but right now you cannot guarantee that he will stay with the English club.’

Barcelona have been linked with a move for Torres, but Martin made it clear they will not challenge Chelsea for Torres’ signature.

‘It is ruled out,’ said Martin. ‘Barcelona have signed David Villa and now they want to invest the money they have in other players.’

Sportsmail revealed in May that Torres was a £70million target for Chelsea and, despite Roy Hodgson insisting he would do all he could to keep the Spaniard and Steven Gerrard, the new Liverpool manager could offer no guarantees.

Having already sold Yossi Benayoun to Chelsea, Hodgson would prefer to raise funds for his squad rebuilding by selling the likes of Javier Mascherano and Albert Riera.

But Hodgson knows such is the state of Liverpool’s finances — their debt is £472.5m — a big offer from either Chelsea or City for Torres will be almost impossible to turn down.

Torres says talk about his future must wait until Spain’s World Cup campaign is over.

He said: ‘My future is here in South Africa. It is too important to think about what happens after that.

‘I was happy he got the job. He did really well at Fulham and I am sure he can do better for Liverpool. After the World Cup, I’ll have time to talk with him. But I have a contract, that’s the reality.’

Torres – who had ankle surgery in April – has also defended himself after his difficult start to the Word Cup finals, where Spain have reached the semi-finals.

He added: ‘It is a difficult tournament for me. I didn’t arrive in the best moment in terms of fitness, especially after two operations but I’m happy with the things I am doing.

‘Hopefully the manager and the team are happy as well. Everyone has to try to give a bit to the team to get the best.’